SAN JOSE, Calif. -- There’s been some talk of the “rookie wall” this week, but if there is one, it doesn’t appear that Jerod Mayo has hit it. The Pats’ first-round draft pick leads all rookies with 112 tackles. He said he feels great physically, and relies on the routines strength and conditioning coaches Mike Woicik and Harold Nash create for the players.

But he is feeling the absence of mentor Tedy Bruschi, who is back home in Boston due to his injured left knee.

“Ever since I came in the first day, Tedy has taken me in and showed me the ropes. I do miss him — he’s like an older brother for me,” Mayo said.

Bruschi isn’t with the team this week, but Mayo now gets to learn from Junior Seau and the intensity the 19-year veteran brings to the practice field and locker room.

Though at times it seems as though Mayo has been with the Patriots for a lot longer than seven months, he believes he’s still getting by on his athleticism.

“To be honest, I’m still out there just trying to find my way around. My athleticism still is helping me along the way. I feel like I’m picking it up a little bit, but at the same time I’m not where I want to be yet. So each and every day I try to get better,” he said. “Coach [Bill Belichick] said there are no rookies out here anymore, but I still feel like I rookie. It’s kind of crazy.”

smanza@projo.com